Dispensing pump with locking structures and methods of using the same

Abstract

A dispensing pump includes a spring assembly and a locking arrangement to prevent the dispensing head from being deployed and/or actuated during shipment, stocking and pre-purchase handling. The dispensing pump includes a pump base, and a dispensing head having a piston stem. The spring assembly includes a slotted tubular spring element and first and second loading cones received at opposing ends of the slotted tubular spring element. Various locking arrangements may include interacting rotatable lugs provided between the dispensing head and the pump base, snap beads to retain the piston and dispensing head in a secured shipping position, and recyclable locking rings disposed between the dispensing head and pump base which prevent an active dispensing head from being actuated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dispensing pump, comprising:
 a closure ring comprising a shoulder and an opening through the shoulder; 
 a dispensing head comprising a piston stem extending through the opening; 
 an accumulator engaged with the closure ring, said accumulator comprising a lower loading cone; 
 an upper loading cone comprising an upper loading cone extension received in the piston stem; 
 a plastic spring element positioned between the upper loading cone and the lower loading cone; and 
 a slotted tubular band positioned between the dispensing head and the closure ring. 
 
     
     
       2. The dispensing pump of  claim 1 , wherein the slotted tubular band comprises a recyclable fiber-based material. 
     
     
       3. The dispensing pump of  claim 1 , wherein the slotted tubular band comprises a recyclable paper-based material. 
     
     
       4. The dispensing pump of  claim 1 , wherein the slotted tubular band further comprises a grip extension extending off of the tubular band. 
     
     
       5. The dispensing pump of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing head further comprises:
 a top surface; and 
 a bottom surface, said bottom surface adjacent the shoulder of the closure ring. 
 
     
     
       6. The dispensing pump of  claim 5 , wherein the slotted tubular band is positioned between the bottom surface of the dispensing head and the shoulder of the closure ring. 
     
     
       7. The dispensing pump of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a container attached to the closure ring; and 
 a product in the container, wherein removal of the slotted tubular band allows actuation of the dispenser head to dispense the product through the dispensing head. 
 
     
     
       8. The dispensing pump of  claim 1  wherein the plastic spring element comprises a slotted tubular spring element. 
     
     
       9. A dispensing pump, comprising:
 a closure ring comprising a shoulder and an opening through the shoulder; 
 a dispensing head; 
 a spring system comprising a lower loading cone, an upper loading cone, and a spring element positioned between the lower loading cone and upper loading cone; and 
 a slotted tubular band positioned between the dispensing head and the closure ring; wherein said slotted tubular band comprises a recyclable paper-based material, and further wherein said slotted tubular band is removable for use and replaceable in position between the dispensing head and the closure ring for storage. 
 
     
     
       10. The dispensing pump of  claim 9 , wherein the slotted tubular band comprises a recyclable paper-based material. 
     
     
       11. The dispensing pump of  claim 9 , further comprising a container attached to the closure ring. 
     
     
       12. The dispensing pump of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a container attached to the closure ring; and 
 a product in the container, wherein removal of the slotted tubular band allows actuation of the dispenser head to dispense the product through the dispensing head. 
 
     
     
       13. The dispensing pump of  claim 9  wherein the spring element comprises a plastic slotted tubular spring element. 
     
     
       14. A dispensing product, comprising:
 a container; 
 a product in the container; 
 a dispensing pump attached to the container, comprising:
 a closure ring comprising a shoulder and an opening through the shoulder; 
 an accumulator engaged with the closure ring, said accumulator comprising:
 a lower loading cone; and 
 a valve; 
 
 
 a dispensing head comprising a piston stem extending through the opening; 
 an upper loading cone comprising an upper loading cone extension received in the piston stem; 
 a piston seal between the upper loading cone and the closure ring; 
 a plastic spring element seated between the upper loading cone and the lower loading cone; and 
 a slotted tubular band positioned between the dispensing head and the closure ring, wherein the slotted tubular band prevents the dispensing head from being actuated. 
 
     
     
       15. The dispensing pump of  claim 14 , wherein the slotted tubular band comprises paper. 
     
     
       16. The dispensing pump of  claim 14  wherein said slotted tubular band comprises a recyclable paper-based material, and further wherein said slotted tubular band is removable for use and replaceable in position between the dispensing head and the closure ring for storage. 
     
     
       17. The dispensing pump of  claim 14  wherein the plastic spring element comprises a slotted tubular spring element.